Category Archives: electric vehicles

Renault-Nissan to Open Silicon Valley Office

Renault-Nissan will open a research office later this month in the heart of Silicon Valley, directly across from Google. Small teams will initially work on vehicle IT development, advanced engineering research and technology recruitment. Continue reading

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Ford Kills U.S. Gas C-Max Van. Smaller Hybrids Now Due in 2012

The C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid will be followed by another next-generation hybrid in 2012, presumably an updated hybrid version of the Ford Fusion, which in its gasoline form remains the best selling car at the Number Two U.S. automaker. Continue reading

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Renault Tries Humor in New Electric Vehicle Ad Campaign

Renault has kicked off a new series of electric vehicle advertisements in Europe where it is in the process of introducing four EVs. By taking a humorous approach that shows that a car is the only non-electric device in common use, the French automaker is hoping to makes EVs more acceptable. Continue reading

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EPA, DOT Unveil New, “More Useful” Fuel Economy Labels

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 passed under Republican President Bush specifically said that EPA and DOT must rate available vehicles according to fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions and smog forming pollutants, which the new labels do.
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GM Adding 2,500 Jobs in Michigan to Build Malibu, Impala

General Motors said today that it is adding two shifts and about 2,500 hourly and salaried jobs at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant to build the new Chevrolet Malibu mid-size sedan and the next-generation Impala large sedan. Continue reading

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Chevrolet Volt Plant to Shut for Upgrade. Shortages Coming?

Potential Volt shortages are occurring at a time when a debate is underway – inside GM and out – about just how large the demand is for the Volt, which starts at $42,000 and has the fuel economy (but less interior space) than numerous compact cars, including Chevrolet’s own Cruze… Continue reading

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Electric Utility Coal Ash Safety Plans Released by EPA

Electric vehicles, the current technology in favor by special interest groups who want their use mandated as well as subsidized by taxpayers, raise many legitimate environmental concerns since half the electricity in the United States is generated by burning coal. Continue reading

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Tougher Vehicle Economy Standards to Save Billions in Costs?

Pressure or advocacy groups rarely – if ever – acknowledge that higher fuel economy standards are controversial, and they usually don’t explore the soundness of their assumptions. (Ever see a California Air Resources Board assessment of the cost of its aborted electric vehicle mandate of the 1990s?) Continue reading

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Toyota Motor and WiTricity Form Wireless Charging Alliance

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) said today in Japan that it has entered into a technology sharing agreement with U.S. based WiTricity Corporation. The world’s largest automaker will explore the practical application of automotive wireless charging systems and the promotion of … Continue reading

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Chrysler Sells Global Electric Motorcars to Polaris Industries

In practice the glorified golf carts provided good transportation in gated communities, sports stadiums or campuses, but with a top speed of 25 mph and a range of 30 miles on a charge GEM electric vehicles were limited to niche markets. Nonetheless, Chrysler estimates that it sold 45,000 of the EVs during the last decade. Continue reading

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Priority Registration Coming for 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. Earth Day Launch for New Ordering Web Site

The Prius plug-in hybrid will be Toyota’s first application of lithium ion batteries. Current Prius models have successfully used nickel metal hydride batteries since the Prius was introduced in Japan in 1997 as the world’s first mass produced hybrid. Continue reading

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$5 Fuel Tipping Point for U.S. Electric Car Consideration. Consumer Expectations – Globally – at Odds with EV Realities

Interest or consideration is an important precursor to actually electric vehicle sales, but while EV consideration is a necessary condition it is not sufficient to tip the balance in favor of electric vehicles as customer expectations are wildly out of touch with EV reality. Continue reading

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Hartford Adds EV Charging Stations to Home Insurance

The Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE: HIG) today announced it is adding coverage for home-based electric vehicle charging stations. The insurance company estimates that there will be 27,000 electric cars on the roads in 2011. Continue reading

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Rolls-Royce to Debut Electric Phantom Concept at Geneva

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars today confirmed the existence of the Phantom Experimental Electric, an electric Phantom concept car that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Continue reading

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Construction of Nissan Leaf Electric Vehicle Battery Plant in Tennessee Well Underway

Construction is progressing on Nissan’s manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, which will produce lithium-ion batteries for the Leaf electric vehicle. Continue reading

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